Lamis D. Rajab

Frequency Estimates and Risk Factors for Postoperative Morbidity After Third Molar Removal: A Prospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of postoperative complications after mandibular third molar (M3) surgery and identify the risk indicators. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a prospective cohort study of a sample of subjects having at least 1 mandibular M3 surgically extracted at a teaching hospital in Jordan. The predictor variables were categorized as patient, anatomic, and operative specific. The outcome variables were postoperative complications recorded as present or absent. Bivariate analyses were computed, then a multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors for the common postoperative complications. RESULTS The study sample was comprised of 149 patients who had 245 extractions. The mean age was 21.6 +/- 3.32 years; 64.9% were females. In the multivariate logistic regression model, age (P = .033, odds ratio [OR] = 1.178), M3 side in relation to the handedness of the operator (P = .048, OR = 4.078), and lingual retraction (P = .001, OR = 11.293) were the variables found as independent predictors for alveolar osteitis. The level of impaction had a significant association with trismus, and operation time acted as an independent predictor for pain (P < .001, OR = 1.085). CONCLUSION Postoperative morbidity increases with older age, deeper impaction, M3 side differing from the handedness of the operator, and longer procedures.

Traumatic dental injuries among 12-year-old schoolchildren in Jordan: prevalence, risk factors and treatment need

PURPOSE To assess the prevalence and related factors of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) among 12-year-old Jordanian schoolchildren. MATERIALS AND METHODS For this cross-sectional study among schoolchildren, a sample of 2560 schoolchildren (1209 boys, 1351 girls) aged 12 years were randomly selected. The epidemiological classification adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and modified by Andreasen et al was used to record TDI on incisors. RESULTS Of the children examined, 5.5% showed TDI. The difference in prevalence between boys and girls was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Maxillary central incisors were the most affected and the most common type of crown injury was enamel/dentin fracture. The relationship between dental injuries and geographic location, area, and socioeconomic indicators was not statistically significant. Most of the TDI occurred at home, followed by school; the most frequent cause was falls. No statistically significant association was found between TDI and dental caries experience (P > 0.05). There was a tendency for boys (P < 0.01), children with an incisal overjet > 3 mm (P < 0.01) and incompetent lip closure (P < 0.001) to have experienced dental injuries. Treatment need due to dental injuries was very high. CONCLUSION The prevalence of traumatic injuries to permanent incisors in 12-year-old Jordanian schoolchildren was relatively low. TDI was associated with gender, overjet and lip competence, but was not influenced by dental caries experience. There was a great unmet treatment need.

Prevalence of Preschool Caries among 6-Year-Old School Children from Different Socioeconomic Backgrounds in Amman , Jordan = دراسة لمدى انتشار نخر الأسنان لدى الأطفال من عمر ست سنوات و من بيئات اجتماعية ديموغرافية مختلفة في عمان ، الأردن

Objective: The objectives of the present study were to describe the dental health status among 6-year-old schoolchildren in Amman, Jordan, and to investigate the association between selected sociodemographic, oral health behaviour and attitude variables and the presence of dental caries. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 838 (Male = 436, Female = 402) children were examined in primary schools; the prevalence and severity of dental caries were measured using World Health Organization criteria. A two-stage cluster sampling technique was used. Sociodemographic factors and oral health behaviours and attitudes were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of dental caries in the primary dentition was 41.6%. The mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) was 2.59 (SD=2.67). The decayed component (d) constituted 67% of the total number of decayed, missing (19%) and filled teeth (14%). The chi-square association test demonstrated that the variables: mother education and employment, type of dental care, type of school, tooth brushing, presence of dental plaque and family size were statistically significant in relation to the presence or absence of dental caries (P 0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference between the number of children who had dental plaque on their teeth and others who did not (P>0.05). Conclusions: The present study showed that dental caries level was higher than that of children in industrialized countries and lower than that in children of the Middle Eastern Arab countries. However, the early caries development seen in children from the lower socio-econo mic classes reinforces the need for preventive programs. Dental caries can be largely prevented or controlled in its early stages of development by simple and relatively cheap methods of personal care, involving attention to general nutrition, diet and oral hygiene. Dental care information and oral hygiene instructions should be given as early as possible to the expectant mothers at prenatal counselling. Access to dental care must be improved to enable any preventive care to be implemented.